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Despite results, Betances leaves 2013 debut confident

Despite results, Betances leaves 2013 debut confident

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By Chris Iseman and Josh Vitale
/
MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- Dellin Betances struck out the Angels' Grant Green -- the first batter he faced in his 2013 season debut -- on three pitches to end the top of the eighth inning on Tuesday night. And it took him nearly 30 minutes to do it.

Rain began pouring down at Yankee Stadium just seconds after Betances pumped a 94-mph fastball past Green, bringing on a 26-minute delay that put the young reliever's season debut temporarily on hold.

"It was kind of weird, strange, because you wait for the day to come to pitch, and then that happens and you're like, 'Oh man,'" Betances said. "But it had no effect on me. I had enough time to warm up, and I felt good after that."

Betances got Green to swing at 94- and 97-mph fastballs after the delay to end the inning, and he got Angels catcher Chris Iannetta to strike out on four pitches to begin the ninth.

The 25-year old wouldn't record another out after that, though. Against the next five batters he faced, Betances gave up a single to Tommy Field, an RBI single to J.B. Shuck, a single to Kole Calhoun, a three-run home run to Mike Trout and a single to Mark Trumbo. He then walked Chris Nelson after getting a visit from pitching coach Larry Rothschild and was removed from the game.

Betances ended up pitching just two-thirds of an inning on Tuesday, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk.

"The results weren't as I wanted," Betances said. "I felt like I threw a lot of strikes, but I didn't mix my pitches the way I should have, probably. I felt like I threw too many fastballs. Guys up here take advantage of that."

The outcome wasn't much better than it was when he made his Major League debut in 2011, when he gave up two runs on two hits and six walks over two appearances. After Tuesday's outing, his career ERA sits at 16.20.

But his first appearance of the 2013 season will serve as a learning experience for him, he said.

"I definitely felt more confident knowing that I could throw strikes," Betances said. "I wasn't as nervous as the first time. The first time, I was so nervous. But this time, I felt better."

Chris Iseman and Josh Vitale are associate reporters for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.